Redbreast Maori Wrasse

Description

This species can reach a maximum of 40 cm (16 in) in standard length. Terminal phase fishes generally have a more pronounced red band and convex forehead than initial phase and juvenile fish.

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body moderately deep, its depth 2.35 to 2.6 times in standard length; dorsal profile of head convex; anterior tip of snout forming an acute angle; jaws prominent, especially lower jaw in large individuals; strong canines 2, situated anteriorly in each jaw; no enlarged tooth present on rear of upper jaw; D IX,10, continuous with spines and anterior soft rays of similar length; A III, 8; pectoral fins with ii unbranched and 10 branched rays; pelvic fins short, not reaching anus; caudal fin rounded in juveniles, the upper and lower rays forming elongate lobes in large individuals, giving the fin a trilobed appearance. Lateral line interrupted below posterior portion of dorsal-fin base, with a total of 22-23 pored scales; scales reaching well onto bases of dorsal and anal fins; scales in front of dorsal fin extending forward to above anterior portion of eye; cheek and opercle scaly; lower jaw without scales. Colour of fish with alternating dark (brown to black) and light (yellow to white) vertical bars on body from opercle to caudal fin, 6 dark bars usually broader than 6 light ones, particularly in large individuals; scales with a vertical black streak; breast, pectoral-fin bases, and often anterior sides red; a light yellow-orange area in pectoral region; the small individuals are similarly marked, but often with less red colour and wider pale bars. Its head is greenish-blue, followed by a distinctive red-orange band followed by black and white stripes.

Distribution

The red-breasted wrasse is native to the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region from the Red Sea and the African coast to the islands of the western Pacific.

Habitat and diet

The red-breasted wrasse lives in lagoons and seaward reefs in areas mixing rubble, coral, and sand at depths of from 4 to 60 m (13 to 197 ft) though rarer below 40 m (130 ft).

It feeds mainly on crustaceans, sea urchins, hard-shelled invertebrates, and mollusks.